CHAPTER XVEt 
HOUSE-PLANT INSECTS AND DISEASES 
plants, detailed in a former chapter, are care- 
fully followed, and they are given plenty of 
fresh air and not crowded together, insects should 
not cause serious trouble. 
No matter how careful one may be, however, 
they are almost certain to put in an appearance 
and steps to combat them must be taken immedi- 
ately. Remember, however, that the best remedy 
is prevention, and the best prevention is to have 
good strong healthy plants. 
The two troubles perhaps the most common are 
neither insects nor disease. They are gas and sour 
soil. 
The faintest trace of furnace gas or of illuminat- 
ing gas will cause trouble, indicated by the yellow- 
ing and falling of the leaves and unsatisfactory 
development of buds. Where there is no way of 
eliminating the presence of these gases the only way 
to success with the plants — unless they can be en- 
tirely shut off in an enclosed place as suggested in 
Chapter II —is to take every possible care about 
leaks, and to give all the fresh air possible. 
Sour soil is the result of improper drainage con- 
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I: the suggestions for taking proper care of 
